Spotlight Magazines Spotlight Magazine Mansfield North November 2015 | Page 24

Spotlight Magazine Drinking Responsibly As we head towards the festive season there’s a renewed emphasis on the dangers of drink driving. In England and Wales, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine. The punishment for being over the legal alcohol limit when driving is a ban for at least 12 months, and a fine of up to £5,000. Offenders may also be given between three and eleven penalty points. There is also a possibility of imprisonment for up to six months. Those caught drink driving more than once in a 10 year period; will get a driving ban of at least three years 24 It’s not easy to ensure you remain under the limit if you drink alcohol as a variety of factors such as, weight and metabolism can influence results. Even small amounts of alcohol can influence driving, reactions may be slower, vision blurred and it can be more difficult to process information for example. All of these put you at risk. The advice for avoiding drink driving includes using designated drivers who drink soft drinks or zero alcohol varieties only. Choose nights out that don’t include drinking and use public transport or taxis. By Susan Brookes-Morris www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • [email protected]